Empowering tenants to protect themselves: Examples from practice

Guidance for frontline housing staff and contractors

Hull City Council has a dedicated fire services staff member in the multi-agency safeguarding hub. The aim is to raise awareness and reduce the number of fire deaths. There have been a number of deaths of people with care and support needs who are often over 65, smokers, with poor mobility and a cognitive impairment. Training to spot the risk factors associated with fire death is provided to staff across housing, health and social care, and includes private landlords. These staff can refer to the fire service for a free fire safety check. Such checks result in preventative measures such as fire-resistant bedding and blankets, and domestic sprinkler systems for those people who have a very high risk from fire death. This allows them to live in their homes with their lifestyle of choice, but with a reduced risk. The sprinklers are funded jointly by housing, fire, health, social care and local businesses.